This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25983181

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Syria Geneva talks: Some common ground, says Brahimi Syria crisis: Geneva peace talks end in recriminations
(35 minutes later)
UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi has said progress at the Syria peace talks has been slow but can form a basis on which the two sides can build, as he closed the week-long conference in Geneva. The Syrian government and opposition have traded insults after a week-long peace conference in Geneva ended with no firm agreement.
He said he had seen a "little bit of common ground" between government delegates and the opposition. Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said the opposition were immature, while the opposition's Louay Safi said the regime had no desire to stop the bloodshed.
Syria's Foreign Minister Walid Muallem, however, said there had been no tangible results from the conference. However, UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi said he had seen some "common ground", and scheduled more talks for 10 February.
Another round of talks has been scheduled for 10 February.
The opposition has agreed to take part, but Mr Muallem refused to commit.The opposition has agreed to take part, but Mr Muallem refused to commit.
"We represent the concerns and interests of our people. If we find that [another meeting] is their demand, then we will come back," he told reporters."We represent the concerns and interests of our people. If we find that [another meeting] is their demand, then we will come back," he told reporters.
The two sides discussed humanitarian issues and how to end the violence. Mr Safi said the opposition would not sit in talks "endlessly", and urged the government to "talk seriously about transferring power".
The two sides discussed humanitarian issues and possible ways to end the violence and made some agreements on access for humanitarian aid in some parts of the country.
More than 100,000 people have died in Syria since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March 2011.More than 100,000 people have died in Syria since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March 2011.
Rebels not representedRebels not represented
Mr Brahimi said: "Progress is very slow indeed, but the sides have engaged in an acceptable manner. This is a very modest beginning, but it is a beginning on which we can build."Mr Brahimi said: "Progress is very slow indeed, but the sides have engaged in an acceptable manner. This is a very modest beginning, but it is a beginning on which we can build."
Though the gap between the two sides was "wide", they had become used to sitting in the same room, he said.Though the gap between the two sides was "wide", they had become used to sitting in the same room, he said.
"There have been moments when one side has even acknowledged the concerns and difficulties of the other side," he said."There have been moments when one side has even acknowledged the concerns and difficulties of the other side," he said.
The first round of talks, between the government and the opposition National Coalition, ended after a week.The first round of talks, between the government and the opposition National Coalition, ended after a week.
However, several rebel elements, such as the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front, are not represented at the Geneva discussions.However, several rebel elements, such as the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front, are not represented at the Geneva discussions.
Key issues are halting the violence, getting humanitarian aid to get to besieged communities, and a future political settlement.Key issues are halting the violence, getting humanitarian aid to get to besieged communities, and a future political settlement.
Both sides agreed to use a 2012 document known as the Geneva Communique as a basis for discussions.Both sides agreed to use a 2012 document known as the Geneva Communique as a basis for discussions.
The document includes proposals for a transitional government and democratic elections.The document includes proposals for a transitional government and democratic elections.
The opposition has insisted on addressing the transitional government issue - which it believes would mean President Bashar al-Assad stepping down.The opposition has insisted on addressing the transitional government issue - which it believes would mean President Bashar al-Assad stepping down.
But the government has been stressing that the first step is to discuss "terrorism".But the government has been stressing that the first step is to discuss "terrorism".
'Forced'
Speaking after Mr Brahimi, opposition spokesman Louay Safi insisted the establishment of a transitional governing body would be discussed at the next round of talks "to end the suffering of the Syrian people that has been steadfast for three years".
The rebels' campaign had "forced" the Syrian government to the negotiating table, he said.
Diplomats have said that a top priority in Geneva is to keep the talks process going, in the hope that hard-line positions can be modified over time.Diplomats have said that a top priority in Geneva is to keep the talks process going, in the hope that hard-line positions can be modified over time.
Mr Brahimi welcomed progress made in delivering aid to the besieged Palestinian camp of Yarmouk in Damascus.
The UN relief agency UNRWA said on Thursday it had delivered 720 food parcels to the camp, which is held by rebels and is suffering from severe shortages of food and medical supplies.